U.S. patent application number 14/071737 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-07 for compound and securable key.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUNASIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is SunASIC Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chi-Chou LIN.
Application Number | 20150123764 14/071737 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53006622 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150123764 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LIN; Chi-Chou |
May 7, 2015 |
COMPOUND AND SECURABLE KEY
Abstract
A compound and securable key is disclosed in the present
invention. It includes a printed circuit board, a fingerprint
sensor, a micro control unit, and a housing. The present invention
provides a key structure with combination of a physical key
patterns and biometrics for identification. The key is convenient
to carry, difficult to duplicate. It is also has advantages such as
low cost, easy use, and compact size of biometric module. The
invention enhances security of keys.
Inventors: |
LIN; Chi-Chou; (New Taipei
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SunASIC Technologies, Inc. |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
SUNASIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
|
Family ID: |
53006622 |
Appl. No.: |
14/071737 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/5.53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 9/00563 20130101;
G07C 9/26 20200101; G07C 9/00944 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/5.53 |
International
Class: |
G07C 9/00 20060101
G07C009/00 |
Claims
1. A compound and securable key, comprising: a printed circuit
board; a fingerprint sensor, installed in or on the printed circuit
board, for fetching a fingerprint image, transforming the
fingerprint image into a fingerprint data and transmitting the
fingerprint data; a micro control unit, mounted on the printed
circuit board and electrically linked to the fingerprint sensor,
for receiving the fingerprint data, matching the fingerprint data
with at least one of registered fingerprint datum by a fingerprint
matching software and transmitting a matching data to an adaptor
via a connector when the fingerprint data matches one registered
fingerprint data; and a housing partially having patterns formed on
at least a portion thereof and partially covering the printed
circuit board, for exposing the fingerprint sensor, protecting the
printed circuit board and the micro control unit and providing the
patterns as an identification for a locking mechanism, wherein when
the matching data is transmitted to the adaptor and the
identification is identified by the lock mechanism at the same
time, a lock having accesses of the adaptor and the locking
mechanism is unlocked.
2. The key according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board
has an extension portion which forms the connector for connecting
with the adaptor.
3. The key according to claim 1, wherein the connector is mounted
on the printed circuit board for connecting with the adaptor.
4. The key according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a
Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector or an External Serial Advanced
Technology Attachment (e-SATA) connector.
5. The key according to claim 1, wherein the micro control unit has
a memory element for storing the fingerprint matching software and
the registered fingerprint datum.
6. The key according to claim 5, wherein the memory element is an
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
7. The key according to claim 1, further comprising a memory,
mounted on the printed circuit board and linked to the micro
control unit, for storing the fingerprint matching software and the
registered fingerprint datum.
8. The key according to claim 1, wherein the fingerprint sensor is
embedded in the printed circuit board with at least a portion
exposed out of a top layer of the printed circuit board.
9. The key according to claim 1, wherein the housing is made of
metal, thermosetting plastics, or a combination thereof.
10. The key according to claim 1, wherein an action needs to be
applied to the housing to unlock the lock.
11. The key according to claim 10, wherein the action is exerting a
torque.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a key. More particularly,
the present invention relates to a compound key, including a
conventional key structure and an electronic identification. It is
more securable than a common key used widely.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is hard to know when the key and lock were invented. They
might be the most ancient security mechanism. The lock can be used
in almost any places where precious articles need to be protected
in any forms, for example, a lock for jewelry box or a door lock.
Please refer to FIG. 1. A conventional set of key and lock is
shown. A key 1 and a lock 2 are paired for use. The lock 2 has a
locking mechanism 3. When the lock 2 works (locks), the locking
mechanism 3 is firmly keeping a loop so that and rigid item
enclosed can be restricted and its free movement is limited. This
helps increase security of the enclosed item because it can not be
moved at will. When the item needs to be used, the key 3 is plugged
into a key hole 4. With a torque applied to the key 3 to unlock,
the locking mechanism 3 is released.
[0003] Locks have numerous types of locks, such as warded locks,
pin tumbler lock, wafer tumbler locks, etc. Sizes of the locks
vary. No matter what the form of lock is or how large it is, for
the key owner, the structure of key must satisfy below
requirements: convenient carrying, difficult duplication, low cost
(comparing with the corresponding lock) and easy use. Sometimes,
people need more keys for a shared lock; for instance, members of a
family use the same key for the front door lock. It incurs another
issue, management of key distribution. How can people use the same
key without a risk of misuse by any irrelevant person? Another
solution, user identification, comes along.
[0004] There are lots of user identifications can be used. For
example, companies usually use passwords for a second safeguard.
Passwords are difficult for people to memorize, especially when
they need to keep numbers of passwords for different usages. A
commonly used form of key becomes E-cards which contain necessary
information of the user and the password to replace people's
memory. However, any people having ordinary skills in the art will
know how to duplicate the E-cards. Security encounters challenges.
It pushes inventers to look for more securable way to make safer
keys. Biometrics is a very good choice.
[0005] Biometrics refers to the identification of humans by their
characteristics or traits, for example, fingerprint, face
recognition, DNA, Palm print, hand geometry, iris recognition,
retina, tec. Biometrics is used in computer science as a form of
identification and access control. Therefore, a combination of
advantages of conventional keys and biometrics becomes a trend for
security.
[0006] Among all the biometrics, fingerprint is most used feature
for identification. It is not only people have been studying
fingerprint for centuries, but there are already many electronic
readers (modules) can be used for design. U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,808
has disclosed a USB compliant personal key which is a good example
of application of fingerprint. The invention makes the USB key
safer in use with the help of personal identification. However, it
is pity that the '808 is a pure electronic key. There are no
physical key patterns or mechanism which helps protection of data
copy.
[0007] On the other hand, a trend of electronic devices is to make
products as compact as possible. Therefore, when a compound key
uses any electronic components, its dimension can not be large for
carrying.
[0008] In summary, a compound key having below features is still
desired: convenient carrying, difficult duplication, low cost, easy
use, and compact size of biometric module for identification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] This paragraph extracts and compiles some features of the
present invention; other features will be disclosed in the
follow-up paragraphs. It is intended to cover various modifications
and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of
the appended claims.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
compound and securable key includes a printed circuit board; a
fingerprint sensor, installed in or on the printed circuit board,
for fetching a fingerprint image, transforming the fingerprint
image into a fingerprint data and transmitting the fingerprint
data; a micro control unit, mounted on the printed circuit board
and electrically linked to the fingerprint sensor, for receiving
the fingerprint data, matching the fingerprint data with at least
one of registered fingerprint datum by a fingerprint matching
software and transmitting a matching data to an adaptor via a
connector when the fingerprint data matches one registered
fingerprint data; and a housing partially having patterns formed on
at least a portion thereof and partially covering the printed
circuit board, for exposing the fingerprint sensor, protecting the
printed circuit board and the micro control unit and providing the
patterns as an identification for a locking mechanism. When the
matching data is transmitted to the adaptor and the identification
is identified by the lock mechanism at the same time, a lock having
accesses of the adaptor and the locking mechanism is unlocked.
[0011] Preferably, the printed circuit board has an extension
portion which forms the connector for connecting with the
adaptor.
[0012] Preferably, the connector is mounted on the printed circuit
board for connecting with the adaptor.
[0013] Preferably, the connector is a Universal Serial Bus (USB)
connector or an External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
(e-SATA) connector.
[0014] Preferably, the micro control unit has a memory element for
storing the fingerprint matching software and the registered
fingerprint datum.
[0015] Preferably, the memory element is an electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
[0016] Preferably, the key further includes a memory, mounted on
the printed circuit board and linked to the micro control unit, for
storing the fingerprint matching software and the registered
fingerprint datum.
[0017] Preferably, the fingerprint sensor is embedded in the
printed circuit board with at least a portion exposed out of a top
layer of the printed circuit board.
[0018] Preferably, the housing is made of metal, thermosetting
plastics, or a combination thereof.
[0019] Preferably, an action needs to be applied to the housing to
unlock the lock.
[0020] Preferably, the action is exerting a torque.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a conventional set of key and lock.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is sectional view along an A-A' line in FIG. 2.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates another perspective view of the first
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The present invention will now be described more
specifically with reference to the following embodiments.
First Embodiment
[0027] Please refer to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4. A first embodiment of the
present invention is disclosed. FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective
view of a first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG.
3 is the sectional view along an A-A' line in FIG. 2. FIG. 4
illustrates another perspective view of the first embodiment.
[0028] A compound and securable key 100 is composed of a printed
circuit board 101, a fingerprint sensor 102, a micro control unit
103, and a housing 104. The printed circuit board 101 is like any
other printed circuit boards used in electronic products no matter
is it multi-layered and what materials it uses. The only difference
is that the printed circuit board 101 has an extension portion
(enclosed by dashed lines) which forms a connector 101a. The
connector 101a is used for connecting with an external adaptor (not
shown). When the connector 101a is linked to the adaptor, data can
be transmitted via terminals 101b of the connector 101a. In this
embodiment, the connector 101a is a Universal Serial Bus (USB)
connector.
[0029] The fingerprint sensor 102 is installed in the printed
circuit board 101. Namely, the fingerprint sensor 102 is embedded
in the printed circuit board 101 with at least a portion exposed
out of a top layer of the printed circuit board 101. The embedded
fingerprint sensor 102 can help reducing thickness of the printed
circuit board assembly (PCBA), reducing the overall thickness of
the compound and securable key 100 indirectly. Of course, according
to the spirit of the present invention, the fingerprint sensor 102
can be directly mounted on the printed circuit board 101 as long as
the PCBA meets design requirement. The fingerprint sensor 102 can
fetch a fingerprint image, transform the fingerprint image into a
fingerprint data and transmit the fingerprint data. The fingerprint
sensor 102 further comprises a touching portion 102a. The touching
portion 102a is used for a finger to slide over and the fingerprint
image can be detected by scanning change of capacitance on the
touching portion 102a.
[0030] The micro control unit 103 is mounted on the printed circuit
board 101 and electrically linked to the fingerprint sensor 102.
The micro control unit 103 receives the fingerprint data from the
fingerprint sensor 102 and matches the fingerprint data with at
least one of registered fingerprint datum by a fingerprint matching
software. It can further transmit a matching data to the adaptor
(not shown) via the connector 101a when the fingerprint data
matches one registered fingerprint data. It should be noticed that
a memory 105 is mounted on the printed circuit board 101 and linked
to the micro control unit 103. Function of the memory 105 is for
storing the fingerprint matching software and the registered
fingerprint datum. Here, the registered fingerprint datum
represents datum extracted from fingerprint images, which is
fetched from the members of a family. With identification (or
matching processes) of the fingerprint matching software, a member
uses the compound and securable key 100 can be recognized by a
corresponding lock by the transmitted matching data.
[0031] Of course, according to the spirit of the present invention,
the micro control unit 103 can have a memory element inside for
storing the fingerprint matching software and the registered
fingerprint datum, rather than linking to the memory 105. It means
the micro control unit 103 is a System-on-a-Chip system, and the
memory is no longer need under this situation. The key point is the
fingerprint matching software and the registered fingerprint datum
should have some place to store. Since the micro control unit 103
is in the form of an integrated circuit, the memory element can be
easily designed in. For example, an electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) can be applied.
[0032] The housing 104 has patterns 106 formed on the surface
behind the connector 101a. It partially covers the printed circuit
board 101 (leaving the portion of the connector 101 for use).
Comparing FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the housing 104 exposes the touching
portion 102a of the fingerprint sensor 102 (not entire fingerprint
sensor 102) for users to slide their fingers over. A surrounding
portion of the housing 104 is made to guide users' fingers and has
advantage to protect the touching portion 102a against violent
force over it. The housing 104 protects the printed circuit board
101 and the micro control unit 103 inside and provides the patterns
106 as an identification for a locking mechanism (not shown).
[0033] It should be emphasized that when the matching data is
transmitted to the adaptor and the identification is identified by
the lock mechanism at the same time, a lock (not shown)
corresponding to the compound and securable key 100 which has
accesses of the adaptor and the locking mechanism is unlocked. It
means the lock needs to work (lock or un-lock) with both key
patterns 106 and user's fingerprint as the defaults.
[0034] As to the materials used to make the housing 104, it is
steel. Steel can be formed to shape the desired patterns 106 and
hard to be worn out. According to the spirit of the present
invention, the materials can be metal, thermosetting plastics, or a
combination of metal and thermosetting plastics as long as it is
rigid enough.
[0035] When the compound and securable key 100 is plugged into the
connector of the lock, sometimes, according to the design of the
lock, an action needs to be applied to the housing 104 to unlock
the lock. For example, like a conventional key, a torque need to be
exerted to release the lock mechanism. Of course, a pushing force,
vertically or horizontally, is applicable.
Second Embodiment
[0036] Please refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective
view of a second embodiment according to the present invention.
[0037] Composition of a compound and securable key 500 is like what
are disclosed in the first embodiment. Namely, a printed circuit
board, a fingerprint sensor, a micro control unit, a housing and
patterns on the housing are necessary elements. In order to save
time, only the differences between the first embodiment and the
second embodiment according to the spirit of the present invention
are discussed in details below.
[0038] The printed circuit board of the compound and securable key
500 are entirely enclosed by a housing 504. It is to say that it is
not mattered if the printed circuit board is revealed or not. In
the first embodiment, the connector 101a is formed on the printed
circuit board 101. However, an available modularized connector 501a
can be mounted on the printed circuit board of the compound and
securable key 500. In practice, the connector 501a can be any
existing one depending on design specification. For example, an
External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (e-SATA) connector
is used in the present embodiment.
[0039] Last, the most advantageous point is a housing 504 of the
compound and securable key 500 can have key patterns 506 `any
place` except where a fingerprint sensor 504 is exposed out of the
housing 504. Please refer to FIG. 5. A portion of the top surface
of the housings 504 and a portion of the side surface of the
housings 504 are covered with patterns 506. Arrangement of patterns
506 follows lock's design as long as the patterns 506 can be
detected mechanically.
[0040] While the invention has been described in terms of what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be
limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which
are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to
encompass all such modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *